More details emerge in Butler school threat case

February 16, 2018News Extra

A former Butler School District student was arrested Friday in Allegheny County after allegedly posting threats against the district online.

South Fayette Township Police Chief John Phoennik said Bryan Flecken, 28, who lives in the township, was arrested Friday and charged with terroristic threats. Phoennik said Flecken had been taken to Allegheny County jail to be booked on the single charge. Online court documents did not list bail and it was not immediately clear if Flecken had an attorney.

Phoennik said the single charge against Flecken was filed after Bridgeville police notified his department that they were investigating Flecken because of a Facebook post.

Police went to Flecken's home and searched his phone with permission, Phoennik said, and found a “specific threat” against Butler School District. Phoennik could not recount the exact wording of the threat, but said it came as Flecken was talking to a pair of BASD alumni. He said Flecken stated that he was going to “buy some guns and shoot up the school.”

Phoennik said the comment came on the same day a 19-year-old gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

It was not immediately clear where on Facebook — on his wall, in the comments section of a post, or in a direct or group message — Flecken made the alleged threat.

Phoennik said police searched Flecken's home and vehicle, and spoke to his family, and determined that he has no access to weapons.

“His father has a BB gun,” Phoennik said.

For more information about this developing story, read Sunday's Butler Eagle.